Composite metal structure



1957 H. A. TOULMIN, JR 2,817,141

COMPOSITE METAL STRUCTURE Original Filed April 14, 1953 'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA Fig.3

Cantinuaus Casting Protective metal coating, gas plated on unaxidized surface of casting INVENTOR HARRY A. TOULMl/V, Jr

. r z BY 8 ATTORNEYS United States Patent COMPOSITE METAL STRUCTURE Harry A. Toulmin, Jr., Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Commonwealth Engineering Company of Ohio, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application April 14, 1953, Serial No. 348,726,

now Patent'No. 2,743,700, dated May 1, 1956. Divided and this application August 31, 1955, Serial No. 531,635

6 Claims. (Cl. 29-196.6)

This invention relates to protective metal coatings. More particularly, it relates to the coating of continuous cast metals by deposition 'of protectivemetals through decomposition of volatile metal compounds which are brought in contact with the continuous cast metal.

Thisapplication is a division of Harry A. Toulmin, J r. patent application filed April 14, 1953, and bearing Serial No. 34S,726, noW U. S. Patent No. 2,743,700.

Special types of carbon and alloy steel and non-ferrous alloys have been manufactured heretofore by pouring the molten metal into ingot molds.

Large size ingots while still hot are removed from the molds and shipped to the soaking pits where they are held untilthe internal and external ingot temperatures equalize.

The soaked ingots then-are rolled in blooming mills into billets preparatory to further processing.

Rough billets require more or less surface conditioning because, for example, the steel is particularly prone to form loose scale and become badly oxidized While cooling, thus necessitating the surface treatment.

This process has now been at least partially superseded by the so-called continuous casting process. Continuous casting has been successfully performed upon a commercial scale, both in conjunction with ferrous and nonferrous alloys.

While the continuous casting process eliminates several expensive steps, such as making and soaking ingots and rolling them on a blooming mill, it does not, for example, prevent scaling, oxidizing and oth'er'surface conditions.

i It is an object of the present invention to overcome the limintations and disadvantagesof the processeskn'own heretofore and produce a continuous casting product which is provided With'a protective metal coating, as the casting is cast and while stillhot.

It is also an object of the present invention to prepare continuous'casting metal objects-having a protective coating of a non-oxidizing metal.

It is another object of this invention to prepare continuous cast' steel product of reduced scaling character.

It is still a further object of this invention to prepare cast steel with ductile protective metal coatings which do not interfere with further processing such asrolling and produce as-cast casting plated with a protective metal coating.

It is' still another object of this invention to prepare continuously east metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous type, having protective coatings not depositable by electrolytic methods.

Still another object of the" present invention isto produce a gas plated continuously cast steel ingotor the like. A still further object of this invention is to provide a continuously cast steel product which is continuously plated.

It is still another-object of this'iinvention to provide a continuously cast steel which 'isplated"while'hot' and a protective'layer deposited thereon. I

ice

It isalso another object of the present invention to provideaplated continuous metal product wherein utilization is made of heat normally dissipated in thecooling operation.

Another object is to provide a composite metal structure consisting of a continuous casting having a gas-plated protective coating of metal deposited onto the surface.

Other and more specific objects and advantages will be apparent to one skilled in the art as the following description proceeds.

In brief, the product is made by casting metals and, when the continuous ribbon of hot but solidified metal issues from the mold, bringing the hot metal into contact withvapors of decomposable metal compounds.

In this way at least a portion of the heat in the molded material instead of being wasted isutilized to decompose volatile metal compounds and deposit a protective coating. In sequence the molten metal is poured into a shaping mold and cooled to a solid form. The formed cast metal progresses through an insulating sleeve where cooling is controlled until the cast metal is reduced to a temperature in the range of approximately 300 to 600 F., depending upon the type of metal being cast and the thickness of the casting.

This hot metal then progresses through a plating chamber where the temperature ofthe metal decomposes vapors of volatile metal compounds continuously fed into contact with the continuously moving cast object.

The metal at this stage is, solidified'to the point where its speed of movement may be controlled by a roll drive or equivalent mechanism.

The plated cast metal is then cut to desired length by suitable means such as saws, acetylene torches, and the like.

In the plating step the hot cast metal is brought into contact with continuously changing atmosphere which is made up of gaseous material, at least a portion of which is decomposable at the temperature of the continuously moving cast metal to deposit a metal coating.

Inasmuch as the cast metal is progressing continuously through this chamber, one of the factors important to the successful operation is control of gas pressure not. only within the plating chamber itself, but in each of the surrounding annular spaces, of design which-will be hereafter explained.

Inorder to insure against leakage of plating gases. which are toxic from the plating chamber and still have openings in the partition walls for the continuous passage of the cast metal, it is necessary to maintain a metal-vapor freegas atmosphereat a slightly higher gas pressure in the annular spaces surrounding the plating chamber.

The leakage of inert gas into a plating chamber is limited to small quantities by having apertures in the partition walls of a configuration providing a loose sliding fit with the object passing therethrough or enlarged holes with shims encircling the moving object in close proximity to these holes and by keeping the pressure differential small.

'It will be recognized that the inert gas leaking into the plating chamber is not a harmful operation because the metal-bearing gases are usually diluted with an inert gaseous medium and the gas decomposing reaction in the plating chamber produces relatively inert decomposition products.

The stream of gaseous material brought into contact with the hot cast metal may be formed by mixing an inert gas with the vapors of a volatile metal compound or by atomizing a liquid metal compound into a blast of hot inert gas or other equivalent method.

Carbon dioxide, helium, nitrogen, hydrogen, the gaseous product of controlled burning of hydrocarbon gases free of oxygen, and the like, have been utilized as a carrier medium or inert gas medium.

Metals to be deposited may be introduced as gaseous metal carbonyls or vaporized solutions of certain of the metal carbonyls in readily vaporizable solvents (for example, petroleum ether), also nitroXyl compounds, nitrosyl carbonyls, metal hydrides, metal alkyls, metal halides, and the like.

Illustrative compounds of the carbonyl type are nickel, iron, chromium, molybdenum, cobalt, and mixed carbonyls.

Illustrative compounds of other groups are the nitroxyls, such as copper nitroxyl; nitrosyl carbonyls, for example, cobalt nitrosyl carbonyl; hydrides, such as antimony hydride, tin hydride; metal alkyls, such as chromyl chloride; and carbonyl halogens, for example, osmium carbonyl bromide, ruthenium carbonyl chloride, and the like.

Each material from which a metal may be plated has a temperature at which decomposition is complete. However, decomposition may take place slowly at a lower temperature or while the vapors are being raised in temperature through some particular range. For example, nickel carbonyl completely decomposes at a temperature in the range of 375 F. to 400 F. However, nickel carbonyl starts to decompose slowly at about 175 F. and therefore decomposition continues during the time of heating from 200 to 380 F.

A large number of the metal carbonyls and hydrides may be effectively and elliciently decomposed at a temperature in the range of 350 F. to 450 F. When working with most metal carbonyls we prefer to operate in a temperature range of 375 to 425 F.

The process of producing the continuous casting gas plated product is illustrated without provision for annealing the deposited coating in order to increase their adhesion and ductility. If such an annealed product is desired provision can be made for an anneal in the inert gas filled annular space, as will be more definitely explained.

Annealing temperatures are higher than plating temperatures and generally in the range of 800 to 1200 An anneal may be carried out, for example, by induction heating.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description taken in connection with the drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a complete unit for continuously casting and plating metals;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the plating equipment; and

Figure 3 illustrates in perspective a continuous casting length as a fragmentary portion and in section having a protective metal coating gas plated on the unoxidized surface of the casting in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a continuous method of casting and plating as utilized in, connection with steel manufacture without any intention that the invenion be limited thereto.

In Figure 1 there is shown the supporting framework of a multi-story building. On the top floor of said building framework 10 supports tracks 11 for a movable overhead crane 12.

A ladle 13 is suspended from crane 12 by suitable cables 14. Ladle 13 is shown suspended over a heated holding ladle 15. Ladle 15 is actuated for tipping and pouring by suitable means 16 such as pulleys or levers.

Adjacent the ladle 15 is a liquid-cooled mold 17 in which ladle 15 is adapted to empty. A cast steel tube 18 is shown issuing from the mold 117 and moving downward through an insulating sleeve 1? within which there is generally maintained an atmosphere of hydrogen.

Steel tube 18 moves downward from the sleeve 19 through a unit 20 designed to accurately maintain and control the temperature of the steel tube. Steel tube 18 passes on downward through a plating unit 21 which will be described in more detail.

Plated steel tube is drawn downward at a predetermined rate, generally in the range of 3 to 7 feet per minute for a tube of about 3 inch radius, by squeeze rolls 22.

The coated steel tube is cut into predetermined lengths by an acetylene torch 23 and the tubular units lowered to the horizontal by suitable cradle means 24.

Referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the plating unit 21 consists of an inner wall member 30 and outer wall members 31 and 32, which enclose annular spaces or chambers 33 and 34, respectively.

Each of the wall members is provided with two aligned ports indicated as a and b, respectively, of size adapted for close sliding fit with the steel tube 18 passing vertically downward therethrough. The closure of each chamber may be tightened by use of shims indicated as c and d.

The inner chamber is provided with gas inlet and outlet means 35 and 36, respectively. Chamber 33 is provided with gas inlet and outlet means 37 and 38, respectively. Chamber 34 is provided with inlet and outlet means 39 and 40, respectively. Outlet means 40 is adapted with an exhaust means 41, such as a fan, for maintaining less than atmospheric pressure in annular space 34.

Operation of the equipment is as follows:

Hot molten metal is poured at a temperature in excess of 2000 F. In the primary mold the temperature is reduced to that necessary to set the cast metal, for carbon steel this is in a temperature range of 1200 F. to 1600 F.

In the insulating sleeve or after cooler the temperature is reduced to a temperature in the range of approximately 300 to 600 F. and preferably to 350 to 450 F. in an atmosphere of hydrogen.

The hot metal then travels through the plating unit. In this unit, the inner chamber is the plating chamber, where the hot metal contacts an atmosphere, preferably of carbon dioxide and vapors of a volatile metal compound. These vapors may be maintained under a variety of pressures, ranging from a pressure below to pressures above atmospheric pressures and generally in the range of 6 inches of water vacuum to 6 inches of water positive pressure.

In the outer annular space there is maintained an atmosphere of inert gas. The gas is maintained under a pressure generally slightly under atmospheric in order that all gas, either that inert introduced or atmospheric air leaking into this annular space 34, will be removed by the exhaust fan and there will be no tendency for gas to leak out, contaminating the atmosphere which must be frequented by workmen.

In the intermediate annular space 33 there is maintained an inert gas atmosphere under a pressure generally higher than is maintained in either the inner chamber or the outer annular space. While other arrangements could be used, the high pressure is preferred for the intermediate annular space because gas flow is then inward into the plating chamber through the free space around the traveling rod.

In the plating of nickel, by way of specific example, upon a 3 inch diameter rod of cast steel, the following conditions may be maintained:

The steel may be poured at the rate of approximately 400 pounds per minute, which rate will supply continuously cooled rod traveling at a rate of approximately 5 feet per minute.

The temperature of the rod entering the plating chamber may be controlled to be approximately 425 F.

The rate of flow of gaseous medium to the plating chamber may be approximately 20 cubic feet per hour per cubic foot of chamber space, with nickel carbonyl vapors being present in the ratio of approximately 10 ounces of carbonyl per cubic foot of carbon dioxide gas passed through the plating chamber. I v The rate of flow of carbon dioxide gas through the intermediate annular space 33 may be maintained at approximately 30 cubic feet of gas per hour per cubic foot of chamber space.

The rate of flow of gas in the outer annular space 34 may be at the rate of cubic feet per hour per cubic foot of chamber space, and the actual pressure maintained on the space by the exhaust equipment being 2 inches of water vacuum.

It will be understood that while the method and apparatus disclosed and described herein illustrate a preferred form of producing the product of the invention, various modified continuous cast gas plated products can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that all modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be included herein.

I claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a composite metal casting consisting of a continuous metal casting having a non-ferrous metal coating gas plated onto said casting while the same is still hot from the casting operation, said metal coating being deposited upon the surface of said casting immediately after the same is cast and before the hot casting comes in contact with oxidizing atmospheric conditions whereby said continuous casting is provided with a protective layer of metal which is deposited directly onto the unoxidized metal surface of the casting.

2. A composite metal body consisting of a gas plated continuous casting ingot, said gas plated continuous casting having an integral metal coating gas plated onto the casting as the same is continuously cast and while said casting is still hot from residual heat of the casting operation, said metal coating being deposited upon the surface of said casting immediately after the same is cast and before the hot casting comes in contact with oxidizing atmospheric conditions, and thereafter said metal coating deposit being annnealed at a temperature higher than the temperature of gas plating.

3. A composite metal body consisting of a gas plated continuous casting ingot, said gas plated continuous casting having an integral metal coating gas plated onto the casting as the same is continuously cast and while said casting is still hot from residual heat of the casting operation, said metal coating being deposited upon the surface of said casting immediately after the same is cast and before the hot casting comes in contact with oxidizing atmospheric conditions, and thereafter said metal coating deposit being annealed at a temperature higher than the temperature of gas plating, said gas plated metal coating being selected from the group consisting of nickel, chromium and tin.

4. A composite metal body as set forth in claim 3, wherein said metal coating consists of nickel deposited by decomposition of nickel carbonyl.

5. A composite metal body as set forth in claim 3, wherein said metal coating consists of chromium deposited by decomposition of chromium carbonyl.

6. A composite metal 'body as set forth in claim 3, wherein said metal coating consists of tin deposited by decomposition of tin hydride.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,344,138 Drummond Mar. 14, 1944 2,508,509 Germer et al. May 23, 1950 2,516,058 Lander July 18, 1950 2,580,976 Toulmin Jan. 1, 1952 2,638,423 David et a1. May 12, 1953 

1. AS A NEW ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE, A COMPOSITE METAL CASTING CONSISTING OF A CONTINUOUS METAL CASTING HAVING A NON-FERROUS METAL COATING GAS PLATED ONTO SAID CASTING WHILE THE SAME IS STILL HOT FROM THE CASTING OPERATION, SAID METAL COATING BEING DEPOSITED UPON THE SURFACE OF SAID CASTING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SAME IS CAST AND BEFORE THE HOT CASTING COMES IN CONTACT WITH OXIDIZING ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS WHEREBY SAID CONTINUOUS CASTING IS PROVIDED WITH A PROTECTIVE LAYER OF METAL WHICH IS DEPOSITED DIRECTLY ONTO HE UNOXIDIZED METAL SURFACE OF THE CASTING. 